Massage apparatus



1963 R. G. BAULARD-COGAN 3,077,878

MASSAGE APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 29, 1960 g 72 iv a W, a Z a w a3; MW

Feb. 19, 1963 R. G. BAULARD-COGAN 3,

. MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed NOV. 29, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 19, 1963 R. G. BAULARD-COGAN I 3, 7 73 MASSAGE APPARATUS Filed Nov. 29, 1960 s Sheets-Sheet z United States Patent Office 3,077,878 Patented Feb. 19, 1963 3,077,878 MASSAGE APPARATUS) Raymond Gerard Baulard-Cogan, 88 Rue Raynouard, Paris 16, France Filed Nov. 29, 1960, Scr. No. 72,455 Claims priority, application France Apr. 23, 1960 Claims. (Cl. 128-57) This invention relates to massage devices in general and has specific reference to an improved massage apparatus remarkable notably in that the massage performing elements thereof are carried by a rotary support and mounted themselves for free rotation about their axes extending radially in relation to the axis of said rotary support.

According to another feature characterizing this invention, the aforesaid support is rotatably driven from an electromotor, a clockwork or other adequate driving means, preferably of the adjustable-speed type.

According to a further feature of this invention and to a specific form of embodiment thereof, the aforesaid support is constituted of a disk of resiliently deformable material and the massaging elements are mounted in orifices or apertures formed in said disk and distributed preferably at regularly spaced intervals about the disk axis.

It is a further feature of this invention to provide, according to a different form of embodiment, massaging elements having their axes materialized by rotary shafts hingedly mounted and associated with automatic return means on the outer periphery of a rotary support of substantially circular configuration.

Moreover, this invention provides, according to a different form of embodiment thereof, massaging elements having their shafts secured in a rigid support, the elements themselves being resiliently deformable.

The advantages arising from the various possible embodiments of this invention will be readily apparent.

The head or" the apparatus, on which the massaging elements are mounted, is applied on the skin of the patient and the motor is started at the desired speed.

The rotary support drives the massaging elements which, on contacting the skin, revolve about their axes and fit exactly on the contour of the body portion being massaged, thus reproducing or imitating the movements of the hand.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear as the following description proceeds with reference to the attached drawings forming part of this specification and illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a typical form of embodiment of the invention with two alternative modifications thereof. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view showing a first form of embodiment of the massage apparatus of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is an axial section showing on a larger scale the massaging head of the apparatus, the section being taken upon the line IIII of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view from beneath showing the massaging head of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational view with parts broken away showing a massaging head according to a modified embodiment, and,

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing another modification of the massaging head.

In the form of embodiment illustrated by way of example in FIGURE 1 of the drawings the improved massage apparatus of the invention comprises a driving motor 1 of electrical, mechanical or other type, of which the speed is adjustable through appropriate means not shown as they are not Within the scope of this invention; in this specific form of embodiment an electromotor is provided which is connected through a cable 2 to the mains and controlled by a switch 3.

The motor casing 1 is formed with an extension 4 01 substantially cylindrical configuration which constitutes the hand of the apparatus.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the lower end of handle 4 constitutes a bearing 5 in which is journalled the motor shaft 6 having a lower screw-threaded portion 7 adapted to receive the massaging head.

Thus, this portion 7 is adapted to receive any one of the massaging heads illustrated in FIGURES 2, 4 and 5.

In the example shown in FIGURE 2, the massaging head 8 comprises a washer 9, for example a metal washer, formed with an integral tapped shank or socket Ill on which is threaded a disk 11 of resiliently deformable material (illustrated in FIGURE 3). This disk, somewhat thicker at the center than the length of this socket 10, is clamped and held against movement between the washer 9 and the head of a screw 12 engaging the tapped hole of socket iii.

As shown in FIGURE 2, the disc 11 is of substantially conical or frusto-conical configuration and its bottom face is formed with a part-spherical cavity 13.

FIGURE 3 shows the disk 11 as seen from beneath. Its lower face comprises corrugations or like projections 14, 14a, 14-h having formed through their ridges or bosses apertures 15, 15a, 15b adapted to receive massaging elements 16, 16a, 16b.

These corrugations are of regular shape and decrease in thickness toward the center of the disk 11 where they merge into a substantially flat face countersunk to receive the screw head 12.

Of course, the number of corrugations and therefore of the massaging elements in the head may be varied to suit specific requirements, but according to a preferred form of embodiment of this invention an odd number (for example 3 or 5) of them is provided.

The preferalby ovoid or pyriform massaging elements 16 are made of box-wood, hard rubber or other suitable material and mounted for free rotation on shafts 17, 17a, 1712 with or without bearings (not shown); these shafts are coaxial with the longitudinal axes of the elements 16 and extend radially about the axis of rotation of disk 11, the inner and outer ends 18 of these shafts being embedded, screwed or otherwise mounted in the disk.

Of course, if desired, pivot pins secured on the massaging elements and journalled in bearings provided in the disk 11 may be substituted for the shafts 17.

On the other hand, the valleys of the corrugations 14, 14a, 14b may receive brushes or other massaging elements 19 therein.

This massage apparatus operates as follows:

The massaging head is applied on the patients skin and the motor started for rotation at the proper speed.

The massaging elements revolve freely about their axes during the rotation of the carrier disk 11 as they contact the body part to be massaged. Since the disk consists of resiliently deformable material the massaging head will perfectly accommodate the curvature of the body. During the rotation, the flesh penetrates into the recesses of the disk and is subiected to a certain pinching action promoting the elimination of cellulitis. The rotation of the apparatus causes cellulitic beads to be formed which move in the form of continuous concentric waves of which the ridges engage the valleys of the disk corrugations. The brushes secured in these valleys are thus brought into frictional engagement with the skin to activate the blood circulation thereunder.

FIGURES 4 and 5 illustrate two alternate forms of embodiment of the massage apparatus of this invention.

Of course, the same motor as that provided in the first form of embodiment described hereinabove may be used in these modified embodiments.

To this end, it is sufiicient to unscrew the massaging head 8 from the motor shaft 6 and to fit another head in lieu thereof.

In the example illustrated in FIGURE 4, the support consists of a rigid disk 20, for example of metal, which 15 connected through an internally tapped socket 21 adapted -to" be screwed on the motor shaft to another disk 22 of substantially identical or similar dimensions andshape.

' Fitted between the discs 20 and 22 is a compression chamber 23 of substantially cylindrical configuration having a resiliently deformable wall 24. This chamber is preferably filled or inflated with a gas, for example air,

at-a suitable pressure. Thus, in a known manner a valve for varying -at will thepressure within the chamber23 maybe provided.

The massaging elements 25, 25a of box-wood, hard rubber or other suitable material are preferably of ovoid, pyriform or other suitable configuration and mounted for loose rotation about shafts 26, 26a provided with bearings (not shown) and coincident with the longitudinal axes "about a pivot: pin 29 carried by the edge of the lower disk 22, so that these shafts extend radially with respect to the axis of thesupport. The free branch arm 30 carries on its outer end a contact sphereor ball 31 engaging the *wall 24 of chamber 23.

When-the apparatus is inoperative, the massaging elements are normally held in an inclined position with 'respect-to the horizontal. When the apparatus is operated, the contact spheres or balls are pressed against the compression chamber. As the massaging elements rise to clear a boss during the rotation,the compression cham- -ber transmits a proportional compression thrust whereby the massaging elements not yet contacting the skin are compelled to accentuate their downward action, thu reproducing the firm and'fiexible movements of the fingers of a hand, but in a perfect, continuous cycle.

FIGURE 4 illustrates in chain-dotted lines the element 25 in its upper position corresponding to the lowerposition of the other element 25a.

As shown, the lower disk 22 may be provided with a circular brush '32 formed with orifices (not shown) through which air heated through the motor may be blown onto the skin.

FIGURE illustrates another, simpler modification of the apparatus of this invention which is designed more particularly for massaing delicate skins.

The massaging head consists of a metal or like support 33 formed with an axial tapped hole 34 in which the threaded lower end of the motor shaft may be screwed.

This support is of cylindrical, conical or other adequate configuration.

Secured (for example by screwing) in the outer peripheral portion ofthis support are shafts 35, 35a carrying the massaging eleemnts 36, 36a, extending radially from the axis of the support.

The free or outer end of each shaft 35, 35a, provided if desired with hearing means to facilitate the rotation of the elements, is formedwith a head or stop 37 (37a).

In this specific form of embodiment, the elements 36, instead of consisting of a hard material, are made from semi-rigid material such as rubber, synthetic materials, etc. whereby they can accomodate the shape of the body. As shown, they may be hollow and filled with a compressed gas, a liquid, etc.

Of course, the number and shape of massaging elements, as well as the shape of their support, may differ to a substantial degree from those shown and described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Besides, the invention should not be constructed as being limited to the few forms of embodiment illustrated and described, as many modifications and variations may be brought thereto, as well as to their materials, relative proportions and dimensions, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. Massage apparatus comprising a motor in a casing, a driving shaft connected to said motor, adisc of substantially conical configuration made of resiliently deformable material and secured to saidshaft'so asto' rotate with the latter, a plurality of orifices in said-disc means, said orifices being disposed at spaced angular intervals therearound, a plurality of spindles secured to saiddisc, each spindle passing through one of said orifices, a plurality of massaging elements of revolution, each of said elements being mounted onone of said spindles for free revolution about its axis of revolution.

2. Massage apparatus as claimed in claim l wherein said disc comprises a lower face formed with corrugations, the height of which decreases gradually toward the center.

3. Massage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said disc comprises brush means disposed inthe hollow portions of said corrugations.

4. Massage apparatus comprising a casing, a motor in said casing, a driving shaft connected to said motor, a massaging head secured on said driving shaft, a plurality of shafts carried by said massaging head and located in planes containing said driving shaft, massage elements rotatably mounted on said shafts, said massaging head being resiliently deformable and urging said shafts toward a downwardly inclined position wherein said shafts substantially extend along the generating lines of a cone the apex of which is located on said driving shaft.

5. Massage apparatus comprising a casing, a motor in said casing, a driving shaft connected to said motor, a massaging head of resiliently deformable material having substantially the shape of a frustum of a cone axially secured on said shaft, a plurality of shafts radially mounted on said massaging head and massage elements rotatably mounted on said shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,899,208 Murphy Feb. 28, 1933 

5. MASSAGE APPARATUS COMPRISING A CASING, A MOTOR IN SAID CASING, A DRIVING SHAFT CONNECTED TO SAID MOTOR, A MASSAGING HEAD OF RESILIENTLY DEFORMABLE MATERIAL HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SHAPE OF A FRUSTUM OF A CONE AXIALLY SECURED ON SAID SHAFT, A PLURALITY OF SHAFTS RADIALLY MOUNTED ON SAID MASSAGING HEAD AND MASSAGE ELEMENTS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SHAFTS. 